One of our newest and most enthusiastic piano students is Nazaria, who is in the second grade at Emerald Academy. She started taking lessons with volunteer teacher Ashley Williams this fall after spending forever on our waiting list. Well, it wasn’t actually forever. It was only about six months. But that sure seems like forever when you are 7 years old and want to start learning piano SO BAD. Nazaria’s mom, NyKeesha, did a great job of managing our application process. NyKeesha first reached out to us when Nazaria was just 5 years old. We told her the earliest a student can start oneon- one lessons is 7. So NyKeesha waited patiently and when Nazaria turned 7, her mom applied for lessons. We put her on the waiting list last April.

Then — and this is important — NyKeesha continued to follow up with our Music Director Julie Carter. Do you have a spot for my daughter? Can she begin lessons anytime soon?

This was music to Julie’s ears. “I love to hear from parents,” she says. “The more parental involvement, the better. You know that saying about the squeaky wheel?”

When NyKeesha called Julie to check in back in October, the timing was perfect. “Nazaria’s schedule matched Ashley’s schedule and we were able to put them together,” Julie recalls. “I was really happy.”

Probably not as happy as Nazaria and her mom. “I was overjoyed,” says NyKeesha. “Nazaria is super-excited. It makes my heart so happy. We just went and picked up a keyboard for her yesterday. As soon as she gets home from school, she wants to get right on it.”

At the moment, our waiting list has about 15 students. Wouldn’t you like to help a kid like Nazaria experience the joy of music? If you’re a potential volunteer teacher, please call us at 865-525-6806 and let’s find a way to make it happen!

 

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